Question
QUESTION: Can I grow occatillo from seeds? And if so, How do I do it? Seed Depth, soil composition, watering, location, etc. Thanks,
Kate

ANSWER: Hi Kate,
Thanx for your question.  I've never grown ocotillo from seed but everything I read tells me it is easy to germinate.  I have grown hundreds of varieties of cacti from seed so I would imaged all you have to do is press the seed into a pot of good potting soil.  I'm never sure which of the cacti seeds require light and which don't so I don't cover the seed, just press it into the soil.  According to what I read the seed readily germinates so I would expect germination to occur sometime within 2-3 weeks.  I would just use regular potting soil (as I have done with starting my cacti) and water enough to keep the pot from drying out but not soggy.  They have a high light requirement so they should be grown in a very sunny window until they are large enough to plant outdoors.  The plant is found in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico.  I hope this helps.

Now, I'm going to ask you a question.  Where did you get seeds and can you tell me how I can get some?

thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tom,
Thanks for the quick reply. We will try it. I live in Tucson and we have a huge
ocotillo in the front yard. We harvested the seeds that it produced this year. I
can send you some if you would like. Let me know.Kate

Answer
Hi Kate,
Thanx for the follow-up.  I was stationed at Luke AFB back in 1978-80 and I lived in Phoenix and Glendale.  I never thought about growing my own ocotillo back then.  I would very much appreciate some seeds from the ocotillo.  Please contact me at http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M14089 - It's my farm's web page on Localharvest.org.  I can give you my e-mail and snail mail address through private e-mail there.  Thanx for following up.  Maybe I have some flower or vegetable seeds you might like in trade.
thx,
Tom